The Skysail Treasure Co.

Kyra

Kyra took the statuette back from Arlen with a larger smile on her face. She held the icon as delicately as if it were made of lace. Arlen was a more deeply complex person than she'd originally thought. Kyra could tell he needed guidance and closure for the things mentioned in his past. She knew well the feeling of helplessness at the sight of her family, village, and home being destroyed. Unlike Arlen, she'd vowed to keep that from happening from as many people as possible. Arlen vowed vengeance, but he needed redemption. Now Kyra understood why Sarenrae led her to Arlen. She understood more completely why she was with him in this tomb.

She slid the icon back into its pouch as Arlen moved to one of the boxes and gave it a probative kick. Kyra approached the box and pulled her scimitar from its scabbard. The blade remained flameless as she wedged the sharpened edge beneath the box's lid and pried the ancient nails from the wood. It wasn't a difficult task. With the lid loosened, she gripped it with her hands and pulled free of the box. She tossed the lid aside and waved the cloud of dust away to reveal it filled to the brim with arrows. Down here, in the dryness of the tomb, they were in near perfect condition. Kyra picked one of the arrows from the box and gave its edges a test with her finger. Still very sharp, indeed. She tossed the arrow back into the box and moved to open the next.

"Where was your village, Arlen?" She asked and she pried another lid off, "I've been to many parts of the Empire since I left Kelesh. I may have come across it."


Cyradis

Cyradis laughed to herself as Archamae danced into her forever-warped leather leggings. The fact she was able to get into them at all was both remarkable and fortunate. It would be rather awkward if she had to explain what happened to her pants in nothing but a blouse and undergarments. Cyradis folded her arms and watched as Archamae finally fastened the button in the front with a sigh.

"I'm starting to see the benefits of your robes," she remarked, to which Cyradis grinned and pulled her robe from the line.

"It's not all good. It still pretty damp, and gets hot in direct sunlight. And as you can see, I don't wear much underneath-"

Cyradis' head snapped towards the door as she heard a voice. She reflexively dropped the robe and threw her hand towards her staff without drawing her eyes from the door. The magical weapon flew from the ground into her waiting hand as Archamae drew her repeater. Moments later, the figure of a small girl came bounding from the edge of the light provided by the fire. Cyradis relaxed as she recognized Cailey. Her young apprentice came up to them both and gave Cyradis a slight bow as Drice entered their vision walking backwards. Cyradis gave him a confused look but directed her attention to Cailey.

"I'm glad you made it, Cailey," she said, leaning onto her staff, "We haven't seen any of the others since the pillar collapsed. We somehow ended up in the drainage for this bath house. We were just drying off..." Cyradis motioned towards the few articles of her clothing still remaining on the line. "Can you sense anyone else? Like you did back on the island?" Cyradis glanced at Drice who was trying very hard to see through the darkness. "You can turn around, Drice," Cyradis smiled, "we don't bite."

“Listen well. What happened in Gebron was not my intent and I had no hand in that. The line of work we do may not always fall within the technical sphere of being legal, but I think it best you realize something, and realize it quickly. Me, my crew, my ship… we are our own society, with our own codes. We don’t kill innocents, we don’t take from people that can’t afford to be taken from, and we generally toe the line, crossing only when absolutely necessary. I don’t mind nimble fingers, when used appropriately, but don’t take us for some sort of depraved bunch of outlaws. We’re an orderly bunch, and you’re welcome to be a part of it, but be sure it’s what you want. I won’t tolerate vigilantes aboard my ship. Clear?”

After a moment of pause, the steady Captain nodded. "Let's go then," he said and turned. Starting to follow after Tarra, he missed Garin smirk.

"Clear and free, Cap'n," He said and chuckled. Walking after Gabe, he shook his head. "I like you Gabe, but all those things you talked about just now... Why do you think I left when I had a chance to be first mate? Heheh... Those involved were not the people for me. I want to make my way honestly. Crime is a hobby, one that won't interrupt your life a bit. It's a challenge of theft more than the item... It's why I have a thing with puzzles and locks. It satiate's the idle hands. Let's be honest though. This tomb is no doubt has a lot of treasure at the end of it. I just hope it wasn't a waste of our lives is all." While he followed beside Gabriel he gave the man a quick look, before being concerned again with whatever is at the end of the hall. "Actually, I joined your crew because of Jade, by the way."

"You shouldn't encourage him." Cailey whispered with a grin at Cyradis.

Drice shook his head biting back the retort that he nearly snipped back. Instead he removed the Kamir allowing the thin scarf to fall from his still burning face and dangle loosely around his neck. He studdied the scene carefully, of all the crew to get trapped together it was only fitting that these two found themselves forced to rely upon themselves. He nodded. The fact that they had not killed each other, or turned him to cinders meant that possibly they had worked out their differences. At the very least they had found a short peace. He was surprised to find that he hoped it was the first scenario. He was getting soft, he was starting to like the crew to much.

Cailey for her part knelt in prayer in obvious focus, most likely trying to ascertain some sort of location of the others in their crew. It was astonishing to think of the abilities she had. He was sure that there were other mages with both more power and discipline, but it was the child like imagination that made her unique. She always considered things she could do rather then focus on what she couldn't. To use the wind so to speak to map out locations he had made use of that technique many times in the past few years since the fall of Juvaro.

As he waited he found himself considering the two women, Cyradis in particular. The woman had captured his sisters attention which was a difficult thing to do. Up until this point he couldn't think of a single person she had shown any interst in. Her magical talents were probably a part of that connection but it was the simple caring grace she carried with her. There was something...nurturing about it. But beneath that positve and friendly exterior there was a welled up darkness beneath. He had seen, had felt a brief release of that pain. Pauseing in reflection he realized that he was starting to admire her other attributes as his eyes cast down upon her legs. He was glad he was still in the edges of the light bathed in the shadows perhaps they would cover his momentary look.

A sudden stab of guilt overwhelmed him. He had not so much as looked or thought of a woman in that way since Arieko. Memories began flow and the pain threatened to take over. Bottleing it up he took a deep breath letting it go. Now was not the time for any of this. Be here now, he reminded himself.

"Its no use." Cailey hissed. "None of the others have as strong of aura as you and this place feels....dirty." she shivered.

He glanced over at the pilot reaching into his pocket and produced the flask of luduanna red. He wondered how Cailey would react if she learned the woman's origins. "Looks like we do this the hard way then." he said aloud. He lifted the flask with a nod to the women. "A toast to friends makes it easier to wander in the darkness." He took a deep gulp before caping and tossing the flask to Archamae...

...

"Fair enough, and probably a wise decision to leave," Gabe replied. "And I know Jade was the reason, I just didn't want to say it before you did," he smiled. "Besides, I'm not sure it was a wise decision. Jade's fairly distracted..." he wasn't sure how much else to say on the matter of her brother. It wasn't the kind of thing she just told someone, and it wasn't Gabe's place to say anything more than that. Although he was pretty sure Jasper had made an appearance back in their fight against the horde.

"And please don't get me wrong. I actually like having guys like you around because it keeps things simple. Your motivations are obvious. I don't have to guess why you're with me or what you'll do in certain situations. The less drama the better," the word conjured recent memories of Archamae's and Cyradis' fights. He wasn't innocent himself or void of any baggage from his past, but damn could baggage get in the way of getting things done. His thoughts immediately switched to the present, and full recognition that he had no idea about what had happened to them put a lump in his throat. The women, despite their differences, would see eye to eye someday, at least he believed that, and he was looking forward to that day where they could all be friends again. The last thing he wanted was to see them hurt... or worse...

Swallowing hard to rid himself of the lump, he thought he'd try to explain himself to Garin, "I fully realize I'm a hypocrite. I’m not oblivious to that. I just happen to have my own odd moral code, I can’t even really explain it,” he shrugged and checked over his shoulder for anything coming behind them.

Garin caught his movement, “Expecting company? The corridors impassable. I’m no engineer, but I’m pretty sure of that much.”

“You’re right, it is blocked, but there might be other passageways to get through.” Garin obviously didn’t follow what Gabe was getting at, so he explained, “Our friend up there popped out of a hole in the wall… a secret door. I haven’t been able to spot any so far, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there. Come to think of it, keep an eye out yourself. You’d probably have better luck finding something like that than me.”

As they entered the largest chamber yet, the shiny metallic object Garin had pointed out stood dead center. Beyond that, Gabe noticed immediately that there was no other exit. Tarra didn’t seem to mind, and was studying the object intensely. Gabe hunched over and immediately noted three things.

One – there were symbols like the ones written on the wall when they first entered the corridor.

Two – there were eight rows of symbols.

Three – there were ridgelines that looked like axis’ that the object could pivot on.

“It’s mechanical,” Gabe blurted out, somewhat shocked that that level of technology had existed even back then. “But what the hell is it?”

OOC: As you can see, I sort of played off your post Ren. My intent is that it’s like a little puzzle that needs to be solved before we can move to the next area. However we want to go about it, I leave it to you and WF ^_^

OOC: Yeah, thanks for that Gec. :) now I have to figure out what comes next, lol!

IC:

Arlen gathered himself and watched while Kyra broke the seal of the lid and discovered what it contained. She played with one of the arrows idly and replaced it before moving to the next box. Everyone was familiar with arrows, and Kyra was no exception, but it seemed not so much in their use or quality. Moving closer to the box and lowering his torch for more light, Arlen's head twitched as he inspected them. He had never had the opportunity to use arrows of their quality. The Yal'x-tree arrows were said to be as strong as iron and as supple as a virgin's skin. Many years prior, he'd heard firing a properly made arrow of Ya'lx wood was like your first time with a woman, but this time you knew what you were doing. He salivated while he stroked the shaft of the rare treasure and pulled away at sudden distraction.

"Where was your village, Arlen?" She asked while starting to pry another lid off, "I've been to many parts of the Empire since I left Kelesh. I may have come across it."

"Ciribaque," he said quietly. "It isn't on any maps," he said with a smile. "It's a valley that is made impassable by sheer mountains and share a sea with Faroese. In Acacian territory. An exiles haven - unless you're exiled from it." He took his gaze away from the arrows, after taking one for himself. "We had four cities of about the size of Gebron; a little smaller. Mostly simple farmers and skilled craftsmen."

Reaching into his bag, he found a handkerchief and wrapped the head of the arrow. Sliding it into his sword's sheath, he continued and pulled the lid off of the box Kyra had unsealed. "We valued thought and progress individually and collectively above war and profit. Philosophers, I suppose." Pulling the torch close again, he saw the glint of sword hilts. Setting his torch carefully on the box beside him, he pulled one out and unsheathed it. His eyes grew wide as he saw the patterns in the steel. Dam'uhs steel! "When Dominia came, though, we showed them how dismally underestimated we were. We took two for every one we lost. Two towns were spared destruction when it was over, but they were in shambles. No one lives there, now. They integrated the people into Dominia. I doubt you have ever been there. We had sound martial teachings, but lacked practical experience. Once we lost our first battle, we became timid and lost more. It was over in a month." His voice had evened out as he regained the narrator-like mindset of storytelling. A story he hadn't had the opportunity to tell often.

His brow furled and he set the sword back down. "Such high quality weapons. We could take this crate with us and sell the weapons for a king's ransom! They haven't made Dam'uhs steel since... at least two hundred years! Since the veins went dry and the forges went cold... Another iron deposit like it hasn't been found since - so I've read. And here, unfortunately, it will remain. Never touched again..." He looked at Kyra.

Sighing, he switched his sword for one in the crate and took his torch up, motioning to continue down the hall. "And you? Is your home town a place of learning? i imagine it to be rather sandy... And, out of sheer curiosity, do you have any siblings of like calling?"

As they entered the chamber Garin's gaze scanned all around.

“It’s mechanical,” Gabe suddenly seemed to belch out. “But what the hell is it?”

"A key," Garin replied without having looked at it yet and shrugged, "maybe." Standing beside Gabe, he finally took a look at what his Captain was examining. He nodded, "Yep..."

Gabe looked at him and squinted, "'Yep' as in it's a key, or as you know what to do?"

"Oh," Garin grinned, and looked at Gabe, "'yep,' it's mechanical, ha!" Taking another look at the symbols, he realized he had seen them yesterday, or the day before, however long they had been in this damned tomb. "We've seen these before... right?" he said, pointing to the symbols. "Has anyone seen them repeat anywhere else in the tomb? Or has anyone noticed a pattern of eights? What concept or object is comprised of eight things? Anyone?"

After rubbing his chin, Garin tapped his lips for a moment, staring at the mechanism. Mentally, he tried to work the machine from the user's side and back, what it might contain. "Hmm..." he mumbled. "Could kill us, or free us... I wonder which."

OOC: You'll have to explain to me what you mean the mechanism to look like, because i'm not really sure. you want to start a wave as to ascertain what will happen? Obviously, you're in on this too WF. ;)

She wished she had anything to steady her left arm with, but then again if wishes would come true she wished they were anywhere but here. Jade grimaced by the sudden movement as she made her way to Amateira. The young islander was in worse condition than she was.

"Shh, take a deep breath," she said soothingly, favouring her right arm as she began to examine Amateira's leg. "I'm just going to make sure it isn't broken."

<Doesn't mean it won't hurt though> Jasper told her somewhere from the darkness. He had made his way down after the others, unaffected by their impact as they had been rolling down the stairs.

<It's...> he began but broke off into silence as the first mate began to sing. It was a beautiful single voice, soft at first and then growing stronger. Jade almost felt like an intruder watching but she could not turn away from Sephara. If there had been more light her pale cheeks would glow red of both embarassment and excitement. Jasper seemed to be as enthralled as she was. She couldn't see his face but she could feel his attention was on Sephara and nothing else.

As blue glow lit their faces Jade lowered her eyes to Amateira, as if a spell was broken and she could move again, making sure it was not broken. Satisfied with what she saw and felt, despite the wincing from the young woman, she noted that Jasper was still staring at Sephara with an expression on his face which not even she could interpret. He felt her stare and said abruptly.

<Like I was saying, the staircase is a dead end. We will have to find another way.>

She repeated his words aloud for the others to hear. Thankfully the first mate, as the natural leader she was, took charge and Jade wasn't late to follow.

"Here, let me help you," she said to Amateira, offering her right hand to pull the girl up from the floor. She sneezed as fine dust filled her nostrils. "Can you hold this for me?" she asked the girl as they began to follow the others. She wasn't sure Amateira understood her but fully but she took Jade's sword. Her left arm was useless and she needed to take some weight of the girl's leg making it impossible to carry it herself.

They hobbled after in silence as the group of four was trying to find a way that would lead them upwards again. Dampness chilled Jade to her bones, and it did nothing to ease the pain, but she voiced no complaints about it. This was not the time, she knew.

<Right. Turn right.> Jasper urged her as they stopped at a T-junction.

"Jasper thinks right," she told the others. She caught a bewildered glance from Amateira, or so she thought.

<Not think. Know. There is something down that way...> he added with an ominously tone of voice. "Trust me, you don't wanna go left."

The last sentence he said ouloud for everyone to hear. She could feel Amateira's nails dug into her skin where she held her right arm for support.

"Then right it is," Kaltor said with a grin. Jade threw some anxious glances over her shoulder, as did Jasper she noted taking up the rear.

<I can smell them> he said in explanation. <Smell is not the best word to describe it, but it is the only one I can think of.> She nodded in response. There was many things she did not understand about her brother, but she knew when he was sincere and when he was not. As the long hallway bended to the right they found themselves in a round chamber. Three doors were in front of them, none looking like the other.

"Right again?" Kaltor spoke while throwing Jade another wolfish grin. She shrugged. The pirate tried the first one. Locked. So was the second and the third door.

<If I didn't know any better I wished that the locksmith was here>

"Jasper thinks right," Jade told the others. Considering what she knew of Jasper, she was willing to trust he knew which way to go. Without hesitating Sephara took the right passage and pressed forward. It was a simple trick that was used in her tribe when the young are undergo Shiasii, that is, a trying five days alone together in the wilderness. Only one elder child is sent with them as a leader. The tradition reinforces the wisdom of elder and trust in their guidance. The eldest is told to keep the children moving. It is simple enough, but as long as the group keeps moving they are more likely to stay positive, something crucial in a crisis. When no movement happens, despair sets in, and it alone has the power to kill.

Sephara dropped back slowly so she was more in line with Jade and Amateira. Her talks with Jasper had continued, but they really had no come much closer to solving the mystery of his continued presence in this world. Until they did, Sephara had kept a close eye on the doctor, mentally observing any changes she could detect. Down below the earth, having barely survived, her concern for the young woman grew.

"How are you feeling?" she kept the question in her usual commanding tone, not wanting to alert Jade to her worries. "Have you been feeling overly fatigued at all recently? Perhaps weak even? Anything unusual?"

Jasper was no doubt lurking around them as he always did, and if they ran into trouble it was a good possibility they would require his services. Which, if her theories were right, could do harm to Jade in some way. Getting an idea of her condition would give the First Mate some kind of a gauge to work with.

The chamber they arrived at shortly after was sparse, and odd only for the semi-circular shape it had been cut into. An impressive feat of engineering so far beneath the earth, surely a square of triangle would have been easier. This must be the way to something important. Kaltor tried each door in turn, and each time failed.

"Can Jasper make it through? If so, let's have him scout each passage and find out where they lead. While we wait, we can try to figure out a way to get the rest of us past those doors."

"I've always been a fan of brute force myself," Kaltor said, and got into position to charge at the left most door.

But before he could run at it, Sephara held up her hand, "No, wait for Jasper. Besides, those doors could be trapped. The only reason to lock all three and make them identical is to conceal the true path. Two are sure to be false. Better to wait."

She felt her waterskin bounce against her hip as she sat, and she smiled at that small fortune. Unstopping it, she took two quick gulps before holding it up, "Does anyone else need some?"

Tarra had always been curious and it had often gotten her into trouble. When she was young she would stay up long into the night reading her books and studying maps instead of sleeping. At dinner parties she would listen carefully to conversations surrounding her, all the while pretending to be oblivious. Even now in the dark tunnels of the tomb she listened to her companions.

She was not sure what to make of the two men. For what ever strange reason they were traveling together and with others. There was tension in Gabe's force as he conversed about the city of Gaborn. Obviously they had not had such a good experience there. She knew of Gaborn; Its people and culture were outlined in many books she kept.

She was wondering the reason for their presence in this tomb when she noticed the glint in the distance. Garin had noticed it too. Pointing it out to the group. Gabe pulled out his weapons in ready action, then he suddenly fell back. Tarra sighed as he put a short distance between them.

Tarra in like manor to Gabe, pulled out her pistols. Her thumbs sliding over the pistols triggers. She slowed a step to allow Gabe and Garin to catch up quicker.

.... I can’t even really explain it,” She heard Gabe say and and then look and then saw him look over his shoulder.

“Expecting company? The corridors impassable. I’m no engineer, but I’m pretty sure of that much.” Garin commented as they moved closer to the glint up ahead. They continued talking as if she could not hear them. Tarra thought she was gifted with exceptional hearing and she smirked to herself.

They entered the room on high alert, but it was all clear of undead. Tarra put her pistols away and desired to examine the shiny object. It was some sort of statue set in the center of the room. No doubt it was a representation of Ptolemy and it seemed to follow the theme of the corridor.

“It’s mechanical,” Gabe blurted out, somewhat shocked that that level of technology had existed even back then. “But what the hell is it?”

Tarra looked up an noticed what Gabe had been looking at. She tilted her head to one side trying to decide what she was looking at. She stepped away from the statue and stood next to Garin.

"A key," Garin replied and then looked up at it."Yep..."

Gabe looked at him and squinted, "'Yep' as in it's a key, or as you know what to do?"

"Oh," Garin grinned, and looked at Gabe, "'yep,' it's mechanical, ha!... "We've seen these before... right?" he said, pointing to the symbols. "Has anyone seen them repeat anywhere else in the tomb? Or has anyone noticed a pattern of eights? What concept or object is comprised of eight things? Anyone?..... Could kill us, or free us... I wonder which."

" I think its some sort of puzzle. I have never seen anything like it before. However, I do know that their culture is notorious for puzzles and tests. Their are a few artifacts found depicting such. I would gather that this would be one of those."

She took a step forward and took a closer look. " I recognize a few of the words here. There, look, at the top there is what looks like an arrow. I think that's where we should start." She reached out her arm to point and revealed the glowing script on her arm.

Instantly she snapped her arm back. She hoped they had not noticed, but judging by the look on their faces they had.

Ops.

Jade stared at the three doors in front of her, thinking she caught a quick glance from Sephara. Perhaps she was mistaken, but it felt like she was worried about her. While they had been walking Sephara had fallen back to keep even strides with her and Amateira, asking how she felt.

"Well I'm a bit tired," Jade had admitted, "but it's probably the lack of fresh air down here. I think it's making my head spin." She had laughted a bit, trying not to come off as whiny. She had glanced sideways at the first mate when she had begun to ask leading questions.

"I've felt worse," she tried to convince Sephara. "I think I just want to get out of here is all..."

The two women had said nothing more about it once they had reached the semi-circular chamber, but Jade kept feeling Sephara's eyes on her, even if the first mate never looked directly at her. Was she worried that Jade wouldn't cope down here? Maybe she thought it had been better if Jade had stayed on the ship instead of being a burden to them down here. She knew well enough that she was no fighter, and was probably more in the way than being of any help. The first mate on the other hand was both strong and skilled. Fearless even. She looked down at her hands. Hands of a killer with dust- and bloodfilled scratches. How different they looked from the hands of a healer. She kept staring at them and without noticing she followed suit as Sephara sat down. Jade sat down next to her. She wasn't even aware of those around her until she felt a gentle nudge on her shoulder. The first mate held out a waterskin to her.

"Thanks," she said, taking a couple of gulps before handing it over to Kaltor. Jasper had already vanished through one of the doors, and so she told the others.

First he had walked through the first door, but suddenly he walked in behind them from the hallway they had just entered the chamber from. She spun around by the sound of him, grabbing her sword that lay on the ground in front of her.

"Where did you come from?" she asked as she regocnised Jasper, but ignoring her he simply picked another door. The others looked at her with questions in their eyes and she quickly told them what had happened.

A minute or so later he was back, walking in from the hallway once again, and without saying a word to her he tried the right door. And so it continued, with a couple of minutes before each cycle. He walked back and tried another door. After a while she lost count and each cycle seemed to span longer.

"I'm not sure what he's doing," she told the others, "but he seems to be going through the middle door now. Maybe it's some kind of labyrinth, of some sorts."

He couldn't help but chuckle at the pilots comments, she had obviously caught his awkwardness. He paused in reflection, it was good to be able to keep such a light mood during a dark time. Without the distraction the mind could focus upon its increasingly likely doom. With clouded thoughts they didn't stand any chance, however he knew in his own mind this was not where his story would end. Not by far.

He glanced around the bathing chamber. The only passage out was the stairs they had come in. It was possible from the size of the bath that this place was for someone of importance. Which only stood to reason that the stairs would lead to somewhere of importance, somewhere with treasure perhaps. And if there was treasure there was good chance that some if not all the crew would be there was well. Not to mention it was of course the only path available to them. A shiver ran through his left arm as he bumped his blade against the wall. He grimaced slightly the bead of sweat running down his cheek. "When you ladies are ready we should head up the stairs, I will lead."

"No."

He raised his eyebrow at the simple word from his sister. She eyed him with a cool demenor her lips turning to a lazy frown. He had seen that look from her before. He opened his mouth to say something but she spook confidence that she rarely exhibited enforced her words. "I think its best if you are going to be stubborn about your hand that you stay in the back. Archamae can lead with Cyradis and I following. You can bring up the rear," she offered a lazy smile. "If you can keep your eyes on task."

He bit his lip. Damn women...

She closed the distance reaching up on her tip toes. "I know you are trying to be strong for me but I know a broken bone when I see it. You have a fever and if you so much as shuffle your feet I will heal you without your consent. You have carried my weight for so long allow me to carry burden for just a little while." She brushed her lips against his cheek and he could feel a slight cooling sensation run down his spine as she offered the barest of healing to him. "Besides I will walk in the back and you will not let any harm come to me so you will stay behind me and offer your protection where it is most beneficial."

He licked his lips and offered a chuckle and a nod at Cyradis. "All your fault you know. Girl didn't have a back bone before you came about..."

"Ah but you know you like it." Cailey giggled she cast her fingers out and chenkari spun rappidly about offering light to see through the tunnels. The orbs hovered just above them with one holding place ten feet in front and back of the group to offer some light in the distance.

"Then by all means, ladies first." Drice offered an awkward bow wondering just where the shy terrified little girl he had grown accustomed to had gone...

...

Tarra pulled her arm back too quickly for it not to be noticed. This was the second time he’d seen those markings running up her arm. They were like no tattoos he had ever seen, and there was a feint glow coming off the lines, as if they had been burned into her arm. Every culture had its own customs, but he couldn’t recall ever seeing anything like this before in his travels. He filed it away in the back of his mind. There was definitely more to this overly adventurous librarian than first glance suggested.

Moving around to where she was pointing he took a moment to size her up. Even in the low light Gabe could see she had some striking features. Shimmering blue eyes, long blonde hair, and a shapely figure all testified to her beauty. And although hunched over, she stood slightly taller than most women. There was an allure to her that, if she’d chosen a different path in life, probably would have commanded a high price. As it was she was here, inside an old tomb, by herself, to research and explore, wearing pistols round her waste, and although he appreciated her fine taste in weapons, it didn’t quite add up.

Gabe’s eyes followed the arrow down the globe. A variety of symbols flowed down to the bottom, but none of it made any sense to him. He scratched his head as he stood up straight.

“Well, you said you recognized a few symbols?”

“A few,” she turned her head towards him.

“Why don’t you give it a go?” Her eyebrows lifted high enough to hit the roof of the chamber. After a few moments she just shrugged and turned back to the puzzle. Gently with her fingers clasped around it, she began manipulating the rows of the sphere until eight different symbols were aligned in a column where the arrow pointed. They stood waiting for something, anything to happen. When it didn’t, she tried pressing into the sphere to see if there might be a button, but after awhile she gave up.

“Perhaps a more logical approach is needed,” she chided.

The Captain covered his eyes with one hand and rubbed his temples with his thumb and forefinger. It wasn’t but a few moments when he had an idea, “Eight,” he said hesitantly.

Garin and Tarra first turned to each other, their fixed their puzzled expressions on Gabe, “There’s eight rows, so eight symbols. Shandalaar and the number eight. The Spider’s Way,” they continued to wear blank expressions, “Right, you guys weren’t here for all that.”

After explaining his theory and the legend of Shandalaar they returned to analyzing the puzzle, “But does that make sense? We are here for the book, but I don’t know if Ptolemy, or the builders even, would have put symbols tying back to Shandalaar.”

Gabe once again studied the engravings on the globe, but didn’t recognize anything that would relate to Shandalaar. “Tarra, can you translate the symbols you know.”

“Sure.” After listing off about 15 words, nothing connected to Shandalaar. There were still at least 49 more symbols, but he didn’t think it was the answer they needed.

“Nothing fits to Shandalaar. It must be something else.”

“I have it!” Garin exclaimed from across the room. “What’s the purpose of a tomb?”

This time it was Tarra and Gabe’s turn to exchange confused looks.

Garin was too excited to wait, “A tomb is built to honor the entombed. And where are we?”

“In the tomb,” Gabe replied unsure.

“In the Hall of Feats, in the tomb.” This time Garin let his words sink in and after a few seconds their eyes grew large and happy.

“You think the symbols relate to Ptolemy’s feats somehow,” Tarra voiced what everyone was thinking.

“It makes sense doesn’t it? You said you recognized a few of the symbols. It could be you saw them in passing on the walls or in the murals as we walked.”

“Clever Garin, very clever,” Gabe was impressed.

“Don’t celebrate just yet, we still have to figure out which eight and in what order,” he reminded them. A communal sigh resonated throughout the room. There was much more work ahead.

OOC: SoHee, I got nothing for us =P

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